By Lisa Balestrieri | Philanthropy Manager
"I never knew I was sitting so close to an explosive.”
Pobërxhë is a charming village in Kosovo's mountains. It’s surrounded by green pastures, tall fir trees, and colorful wildflowers. This serene landscape, however, carries the weight of history, marked by the scars of war. During the conflict in Kosovo, the village was bombed. This left behind a dangerous legacy of unexploded ordnance that still threatens lives today.
Seventy-two-year-old Shefqet lives here. He is deeply connected to the land he calls home. Shefqet has grazed cattle in the fields of Pobërxhë his entire life, following in the footsteps of his father, grandfather, and great-grandfather before him. After the war, he returned to his village in 2004 with a heavy heart, haunted by the fear of what lay beneath the surface.
Shefqet recalls the tension of those early days: “I was fearful for my children upon returning. I could not be sure they would not find one a submunition and pick it up.” The danger is real. Danger landmine signs dot the area around his home, reminding him of the hidden threats in the grass. As he calls to his cows, he must keep a watchful eye, so they steer clear of the contaminated areas.
Last year, HALO began operations in Pobërxhë. The teams have cleared almost 9 acres of land and found seven submunitions. Shefqet was relieved and reflected after HALO found an explosive just over 100 yards from his house: “I felt very lucky. I have often sat in that area, talking with my friends. I never knew I was sitting so close to an explosive.”
As clearance continues, there is hope for a future free from the remnants of conflict. Shefqet dreams of a time when he can graze his cattle and forage for blueberries without fear. “I will be able to feed my cows without fear,” he expresses, optimistic about the future for himself and his community.
Thank you to everyone supporting HALO’s work in Kosovo. You are helping families reclaim their land and their lives. Please Donate Today to help us continue this important work!
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